Letter 12025: It is well known to your Experience that Peter, whom we have made a guardian (defensorem), is sprung from the estate belonging to our Church which is called Vitelas. And so, since we ought to show kindness towards him in such a way that nevertheless the Church may suffer no disadvantage, we command you by this order to charge him strictly not to...
Gregory to Romanus, Defensor [church legal officer].
You are aware that Peter, whom I appointed as a defensor, comes from the church estate called Vitelas. I want to show him kindness -- but not at the Church's expense.
Here is my order: charge him strictly that he must not presume, under any pretext or excuse, to marry his children outside the estate to which they are legally bound by their status [as coloni -- tenant farmers tied to the land]. You must be very careful about this and warn them firmly. Under no circumstances are any of them to leave the property to which they were born.
If any of them -- which I do not expect -- should presume to depart, they can be assured that I will never consent to any of them living or marrying outside the estate where they were born. Their land will also be reassigned. And know that you will face serious consequences if your negligence allows any of them to attempt what I have forbidden.
Human translation - New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)
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